Energy efficient roaming of a mobile device

ABSTRACT

Energy efficient roaming of a mobile device is described. The mobile device can include a sensor for sensing a motion of the mobile device to generate a sensor signal. A radio is capable of communicating with a wireless network. A processor activates the radio in the mobile device. The processor generates an environmental profile of the mobile device based at least on the sensor signal. A memory is coupled to the processor for storing the environmental profile. The processor deactivates the radio when the environmental profile indicates that the rate of motion of the mobile device is above a predetermined threshold for a first period of time. The processor reactivates the deactivated radio when the environmental profile indicates that the rate of motion of the mobile device is below the predetermined threshold for a second period of time.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to mobile units such as mobilecomputing devices, cellular phones, personal data assistants (PDAs), andthe like, and more particularly relates to efficient roaming of suchdevices.

BACKGROUND

Mobile devices can be used for a variety of tasks, for example, to sendand receive email, access the Internet, and send and receive telephonecalls. Many mobile devices can provide Location-Based Services (LBS),such as a mapping application or a navigation application. For example,a mobile device can include a Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver,which can be used for determining the location of the mobile device, andto provide the user with location information.

Mobile devices generally rely on an internal battery for power.Unfortunately, the internal battery has a limited supply of powernecessary to operate the mobile device before requiring a recharge. Themobile device includes various software components and/or hardwarecomponents which can be power-consuming or resource-consuming. Thecontinuous operation of such components can result in significantconsumption of power and/or other resources, which can exhaust thebattery of the mobile device.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, the invention is embodied in a method of roaming for awireless network. The method includes activating a radio in a mobiledevice. The radio is capable of communicating with a wireless network. Amotion of the mobile device is sensed and a sensor signal is generated.An environmental profile of the mobile device is generated based atleast on the sensor signal. The radio is deactivated when theenvironmental profile indicates that a rate of the motion of the mobiledevice is above a predetermined threshold for a first period of time.The deactivated radio is reactivated when the environmental profileindicates that a rate of the motion of the mobile device is below thepredetermined threshold for a second period of time.

In one embodiment, the rate of motion includes a speed of the mobiledevice. The environmental profile can be stored in a memory of themobile device. The environmental profile can also include at least oneof: a rate of change in orientation of the mobile device, anenvironmental temperature proximate to the mobile device, humidityproximate to the mobile device, altitude of the mobile device, a userinteraction with the mobile device, a time of day, a location of themobile device, a transmission status of a Bluetooth radio within themobile device, and a battery charge status of the mobile device.

In one embodiment, the motion is based on at least one of a velocity,acceleration, vibration, rotation, and tilt of the mobile device. Thewireless network can include a Wi-Fi network. The method can alsoinclude periodically reactivating and deactivating the radio during thefirst period of time to attempt to communicate with a wireless network.In one embodiment, the first period of time is different than the secondperiod of time. The motion can be sensed using a motion sensor in themobile device.

The radio can be deactivated when the when the environmental profileindicates that the mobile device is traveling in a vehicle. The sensorsignal can be manually overridden to reactivate the radio when the radiois deactivated.

In another aspect, the invention is embodied in a mobile device. Themobile device can include a sensor for sensing a motion of the mobiledevice to generate a sensor signal. A radio is capable of communicatingwith a wireless network. A processor activates the radio in the mobiledevice. The processor generates an environmental profile of the mobiledevice based at least on the sensor signal. A memory is coupled to theprocessor for storing the environmental profile. The processordeactivates the radio when the environmental profile indicates that therate of motion of the mobile device is above a predetermined thresholdfor a first period of time. The processor reactivates the deactivatedradio when the environmental profile indicates that the rate of motionof the mobile device is below the predetermined threshold for a secondperiod of time.

In one embodiment, the rate of motion includes a speed of the mobiledevice. The motion can be based on at least one of a velocity,acceleration, vibration, rotation, and tilt of the mobile device. Thesensor can include an accelerometer and/or a gyroscopic sensor.

The environmental profile can include at least one of: a rate of changein orientation of the mobile device, an environmental temperatureproximate to the mobile device, a humidity proximate to the mobiledevice, an altitude of the mobile device, a user interaction with themobile device, a time of day, a location of the mobile device, atransmission status of a Bluetooth radio within the mobile device, and abattery charge status of the mobile device.

In one embodiment, the processor can periodically reactivate anddeactivate the radio during the first period of time to attempt tocommunicate with a wireless network. In one embodiment, the first periodof time is different than the second period of time. The wirelessnetwork can include a Wi-Fi network.

The radio can be deactivated when the environmental profile indicatesthat the mobile device is traveling in a vehicle. The mobile device canalso include a user interface for communicating an instruction to theprocessor. In one embodiment, the instruction includes manuallyoverriding the sensor signal to reactivate the radio when the radio isdeactivated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures areillustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily beendrawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements inthe figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to helpimprove understanding of various embodiments. In addition, thedescription and drawings do not necessarily require the orderillustrated. It will be further appreciated that certain actions and/orsteps may be described or depicted in a particular order of occurrencewhile those skilled in the art will understand that such specificitywith respect to sequence is not actually required. Apparatus and methodcomponents have been represented where appropriate by conventionalsymbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that arepertinent to understanding the various embodiments so as not to obscurethe disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those ofordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.Thus, it will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity ofillustration, common and well-understood elements that are useful ornecessary in a commercially feasible embodiment may not be depicted inorder to facilitate a less obstructed view of these various embodiments.

The above and further advantages of this invention may be betterunderstood by referring to the following description in conjunction withthe accompanying drawings, in which like numerals indicate likestructural elements and features in various figures. Skilled artisanswill appreciate that reference designators shown herein in parenthesisindicate components shown in a figure other than the one in discussion.For example, talking about a device (10) while discussing Figure A wouldrefer to an element, 10, shown in figure other than Figure A.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a mobile device according to oneembodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart of a method of efficient roaming for a mobiledevice according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart of a method of efficient roaming for a mobiledevice according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following detailed description is merely illustrative in nature andis not intended to limit the invention or the application and uses ofthe invention. Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by anyexpress or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field,background, brief summary or the following detailed description.

For the purposes of conciseness, many conventional techniques andprinciples related to connecting mobile devices to wireless networks,need not, and are not, described in detail herein. For example,conventional techniques related to signal processing, data transmission,signaling, network control, the 802.11 family of specifications,wireless networks, cellular networks, and other functional aspects ofthe system (and the individual operating components of the system) maynot be described in detail herein. Furthermore, the connecting linesshown in the various figures contained herein are intended to representexample functional relationships and/or physical couplings between thevarious elements. Many alternative or additional functionalrelationships or physical connections may be present in a practicalembodiment.

Techniques and technologies may be described herein in terms offunctional and/or logical block components and various processing steps.It should be appreciated that such block components may be realized byany number of hardware, software, and/or firmware components configuredto perform the specified functions. For example, an embodiment of asystem or a component may employ various integrated circuit components,e.g., memory elements, digital signal processing elements, logicelements, look-up tables, or the like, which may carry out a variety offunctions under the control of one or more microprocessors or othercontrol devices.

The following description may refer to elements or nodes or featuresbeing “connected” or “coupled” together. As used herein, unlessexpressly stated otherwise, “connected” means that oneelement/node/feature is directly joined to (or directly communicateswith) another element/node/feature, and not necessarily mechanically.Likewise, unless expressly stated otherwise, “coupled” means that oneelement/node/feature is directly or indirectly joined to (or directly orindirectly communicates with) another element/node/feature, and notnecessarily mechanically. The term “exemplary” is used in the sense of“example, instance, or illustration” rather than “model,” or “deservingimitation.”

Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with thepresent invention, some of the terms used herein will be defined.

The terms “plurality” or “a plurality” as used herein include, forexample, “multiple” or “two or more”. For example, “a plurality ofitems” includes two or more items.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with various devices andsystems, for example, a mobile computer, a tablet computer, a handhelddevice, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) device, a “smartphone”device, devices and/or networks operating in accordance with existingIEEE 802.11, 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.16, 802.16d,802.16e, 802.16m standards and/or future versions and/or derivatives ofthe above standards, units and/or devices which are part of the abovenetworks.

Some embodiments may be used in conjunction with one or more types ofwireless communication signals and/or systems, for example, GlobalPositioning System (GPS), IEEE 802.11 (“Wi-Fi”), IEEE 802.16 (“Wi-Max”),Some embodiments can be used in conjunction with various other devices,systems and/or networks.

The terms “wireless device” or “mobile device” as used herein include,for example, a device capable of wireless communication, a communicationdevice or communication station capable of wireless communication, amobile phone, a cellular phone, a PDA capable of wireless communication,a handheld device capable of wireless communication, a portable ornon-portable device capable of wireless communication, or the like.

The term “user” as used herein includes, for example, a person or entitythat owns a computing device or a wireless device; a person or entitythat operates or utilizes a computing device or a wireless device; or aperson or entity that is otherwise associated with a computing device ora wireless device.

In one aspect, the invention is embodied in mobile devices and methodsof efficient roaming of a mobile device based on activating anddeactivating a wireless radio in response to environmental profiles. Forexample, a mobile device includes a motion sensor that can detect anenvironmental profile related to a motion of the mobile device.

The environmental profile can include information from various sources,such as an accelerometer, GPS data, a temperature sensor, or a clock,for example, and can determine whether or not the mobile device is inmotion. The environmental profile can determine whether or not themobile device is within a moving vehicle or a rapidly-moving vehicle.

If the processor of the mobile device determines (based on theenvironmental profile) that the mobile device is not in motion, or is inrelatively slow motion, the processor can conclude based on theenvironmental profile that the mobile device might be in range of aWi-Fi network and activate the wireless radio to roam for a wirelessnetwork. If the processor of the mobile device determines (based on theenvironmental profile) that the mobile device is in motion, or is inrelatively rapid motion (e.g., used within a moving vehicle), then theprocessor can deactivate the wireless radio to reduce power consumptionof the mobile device.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile device 100 in accordance with anexemplary embodiment of the present invention. The mobile device 100includes at least one antenna 102, a radio/transceiver 104, a basebandprocessor 106, a processor 108, a coder/decoder (CODEC) 110, a display112, input devices 114 (keyboards, touch screens, etc.), a programmemory 116, 118 for storing operating instructions that are executed bythe processor 108, a buffer memory 120, one or more motion sensors 122,such as accelerometers and/or gyroscopic sensors, a temperature sensor124, a global positioning system (GPS) module 126, an altimeter 128, andother environmental sensors 130, a removable storage unit 132, amicrophone 134 and an earpiece speaker 136 (i.e., a speaker used forlistening by a user of the device 100). The various blocks are coupledto one another as illustrated in FIG. 1. In some implementations, thevarious blocks can communicate with one another via a bus, such as a PCIbus.

The microphone 134 is capable of receiving audio input from the user ofthe device 100. The received audio may include speech commands, whichcan trigger voice-activated or voice-operated actions to be performed bydevice 100.

The display 112 can be, for example, a Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)display unit, a plasma display unit, or other suitable types of displaysor screens. In some embodiments, the display 112 can include atouch-screen, such that the display 112 can present output as well asreceive touch-based input or multi-touch input.

The radio/transceiver 104 includes, for example, a wired or wirelesstransceiver, a wired or wireless modem, a wired or wireless NetworkInterface Card (NIC) or adapter, or other unit suitable for transmittingand/or receiving communication signals, blocks, frames, transmissionstreams, packets, messages and/or data. In some embodiments, forexample, the radio can include a wireless Radio Frequency (RF)transceiver able to transmit and/or receive wireless RF signals, e.g.,through one or more antennas 102 or sets of antennas. For example, thetransceiver can be implemented using a transmitter, a receiver, atransmitter-receiver, or one or more units able to perform separate orintegrated functions of transmitting and/or receiving wirelesscommunication signals.

The antenna 102 can include an internal and/or external antenna, forexample, a RF antenna, a dipole antenna, a monopole antenna, anomni-directional antenna, an end fed antenna, a circularly polarizedantenna, a micro-strip antenna, a diversity antenna, or any other typeof antenna suitable for transmitting and/or receiving wirelesscommunication signals.

The mobile device 100 can optionally include the GPS module 126, whichis capable of receiving signals from one or more satellites to determinethe spatial location of the mobile device 100.

The mobile device 100 can also include a power source, such as a battery138. The battery 138 can be a rechargeable power-cell, one or moreelectro-chemical cells, a lithium ion (Li-ion) battery, a Li-ion polymerbattery, a nickel cadmium (NiCd) battery, a nickel metal hydride (NIMH)battery, a nickel hydrogen (NIH2) battery, or the like. The battery cansupply power to the components of the mobile device 100, such as theprocessor 108 and the display 112.

The mobile device can also include an external port 140, such as auniversal serial bus (USB) port. The external port 140 can be used totransmit and receive data and/or to charge the battery 138. The mobiledevice 100 can be an integrated unit containing at least all theelements depicted in FIG. 1, as well as any other elements necessary forthe mobile device 100 to perform its particular functions. As will beappreciated by those skilled in the art, various other elements,components and modules can be included depending on the implementation.

The processor 108 controls an overall operation of the mobile device100. The processor 108 can include one or more microprocessors,microcontrollers, DSPs (digital signal processors), state machines,logic circuitry, or any other device or devices that process informationbased on operational or programming instructions. Such operational orprogramming instructions can be, for example, stored in the programmemory 116, 118 that may be an IC (integrated circuit) memory chipcontaining any form of RAM (random access memory) or ROM (read-onlymemory), a floppy disk, a CD-ROM (compact disk read-only memory), a harddisk drive, a DVD (digital video disc), a flash memory card or any othermedium for storing digital information. In one implementation, the ReadOnly Memory (ROM) 116 stores microcodes of a program for controlling theprocessor 108 and a variety of reference data, and the Random AccessMemory (RAM) 118 is a working memory of the processor 108 andtemporarily stores data that is generated during the execution of theprogram. The buffer memory 120 may be any form of volatile memory, suchas RAM, and is used for temporarily storing received informationpackets. The removable storage 132 stores a variety of updateable data,and can be implemented using Flash RAM.

One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that when the processor108 has one or more of its functions performed by a state machine orlogic circuitry, the memory 116, 118 containing the correspondingoperational instructions may be embedded within the state machine orlogic circuitry.

In one embodiment, the processor 108 can determine an environmentalprofile based on information from the various sensors 122, 124, 126,128, and 130 in the mobile device 100. For example, an accelerometer(motion sensor 122) and/or a GPS module 126 can provide data to theprocessor 108 that can indicate that the mobile device 100 is movingrapidly and is likely located inside a moving vehicle. The processor 108can use that information to disable the radio 104 since it is energyinefficient to roam for a network where no network exists. In oneembodiment, based on a motion experienced by the motion sensor 104, theprocessor 108 can determine that a user of the device 100 is likelywalking. The processor 108 can also determine an environment in whichthe mobile device 100 is being used. For example, the processor 108 candetermine, based on data received from the altimeter 128, that thedevice is likely in a tall building which could be Wi-Fi enabled. Inthis case, the processor 108 would activate the wireless radio 104 inthe mobile device 100.

In one embodiment, a user can override the decision by the processor 108to activate or deactivate the Wi-Fi radio 104 in the mobile device 100.For example, if the mobile device 100 is rapidly traveling in a trainthat includes Wi-Fi capability, the processor 108 can deactivate thewireless radio 100 in response to the environmental profile. A user canoverride the decision by the processor 108 and manually reactivate theradio 104.

In one embodiment, the processor 108 can be programmed to periodicallyactivate the radio 104 and instruct the radio 104 to roam for anavailable network. If no wireless network is in range, the processor 108can deactivate the radio 104 to conserve energy.

FIG. 2 is a flowchart 200 of a method of efficient roaming for a mobiledevice 100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The methodincludes activating the radio 104 (FIG. 1) in the mobile device 100(step 202). For example, the radio 104 can be a wireless local areanetwork (WLAN) radio. The radio 104 is capable of communicating with awireless network, such as a Wi-Fi network. In one embodiment, theactivated radio 104 can begin roaming to attempt to discover a wirelessnetwork that is in range of the mobile device 100.

A motion sensor 122 (FIG. 1) senses a motion of the mobile device 100and generates a sensor signal (step 206). The motion of the mobiledevice 100 can include a rapid motion, such as an acceleration, a steadyor increasing velocity, a tilt, a rotation, or a slow bouncing motion,such as a walking motion. In one embodiment, the motion could includeperiodic stopping and starting, which could be interpreted by theprocessor 108 as a traffic condition. Thus, the motion can be based onat least one of a velocity, acceleration, vibration, rotation, and tiltof the mobile device 100.

The motion sensor 122 transmits the sensor signal to the processor 108(step 208). The processor 108 then generates an environmental profile ofthe mobile device 100 based at least in part on the sensor signal (step210). The environmental profile can include information in addition tothe sensor signal. For example, the environmental profile can includeone or more of a rate of change in orientation of the mobile device 100,an environmental temperature proximate to the mobile device 100, ahumidity proximate to the mobile device 100, an altitude of the mobiledevice 100, a user interaction with the mobile device 100, a time ofday, a geographical location of the mobile device 100, a transmissionstatus of a Bluetooth radio within the mobile device 100, and a batterycharge status of the mobile device 100. The environmental profile can beoptionally stored in the memory 116 of the mobile device 100 (step 212).

The processor 108 evaluates the environmental profile to determine thestatus of the mobile device 100 (step 214). The radio 104 can bedeactivated when the environmental profile indicates that a rate of themotion of the mobile device 100 is above a predetermined threshold for afirst period of time (step 216). Alternatively, the radio 104 can remainactive when the environmental profile indicates that a rate of themotion of the mobile device 100 is below the predetermined threshold fora second period of time (step 218). The rate of motion can include aspeed or a velocity of the mobile device 100. The first and secondperiods of time can be the same or different.

The predetermined threshold can be chosen based on a motion of themobile device 100. For example, if the motion of the mobile device 100is above the predetermined threshold, the processor 108 can determinethat the mobile device 100 is likely traveling in a moving vehicle for afirst period of time, the radio 104 in the mobile device 100 can bedeactivated. In one mode of operation, a user can manually override thedetermination of the processor 108 based on the sensor signal andinstruct the processor 108 to reactivate the radio 104 when the radio104 is deactivated.

In one mode of operation, the processor 108 can periodically reactivateand deactivate the radio 104 during the first period of time to attemptto communicate with a wireless network. For example, the processor 108can receive a signal from the motion sensor 122 that indicates themobile device 100 is rapidly moving, such as in a moving vehicle. Inresponse to the signal, the processor 108 can determine that a wirelessnetwork would not likely be in range of the mobile device 100 and theprocessor 108 may deactivate the radio 104 to conserve power. However,the mobile device 100 may be traveling in an airplane that is equippedwith a wireless network. In this case, the user could instruct theprocessor 108 to periodically activate the radio 104 to roam for anavailable wireless network and remain active once connected to awireless network.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart 300 of a method of efficient roaming for a mobiledevice 100 according to another embodiment of the invention. The methodincludes provisioning the mobile device 100 with one or morepredetermined profiles from a remote server (step 302). For example, amanagement server can store predetermined profiles that correspond todifferent environmental conditions. The profiles determine theenvironmental conditions in which the radio 104 in the mobile device 100should be activated and should be deactivated to conserve power. In oneembodiment, a predetermined profile can determine the conditions whichwould be consistent with an ability of the radio in the mobile device100 to connect to an access point and associate with a network. Forexample, the radio 104 can be a wireless local area network (WLAN)radio. The radio 104 is capable of communicating with a wirelessnetwork, such as a Wi-Fi network.

The remote server transmits the predetermined profiles to the mobiledevice 100 when the mobile device 100 communicates with the remoteserver. The sever can be a mobile device management server, for example.The server can communicate with the mobile device 100 though a wiredconnection or wireless connection.

The mobile device 100 can store the predetermined profiles in the memory116 of the mobile device 100 (step 304). The stored predeterminedprofiles can be accessed by the processor 108 of the mobile device 100.

The mobile device 100 includes a plurality of environmental sensors 122,126, 128, and 130, as described herein with reference to FIG. 1. Inoperation, the sensors 122, 126, 128, and 130 can sense environmentalconditions affecting the mobile device 100 (step 306). The environmentalconditions can relate to motion, altitude, temperature, and/or humidity,for example.

The sensors 122, 126, 128, and 130 generate sensor signals correspondingto the environmental conditions (step 308). The generated sensor signalsare transmitted to the processor 108 (step 310). The processor 108 cangenerate an environmental profile of the mobile device 100 based atleast in part on the sensor signals (step 312). The environmentalprofile can include information corresponding to the sensor signals. Forexample, the environmental profile can include one or more of a rate ofchange in orientation of the mobile device 100, an environmentaltemperature proximate to the mobile device 100, a humidity proximate tothe mobile device 100, an altitude of the mobile device 100, a userinteraction with the mobile device 100, a time of day, a geographicallocation of the mobile device 100, a transmission status of a Bluetoothradio within the mobile device 100, and a battery charge status of themobile device 100.

The processor 108 compares the environmental profile to thepredetermined profiles to determine the status of the mobile device 100(step 314). For example, a comparison of the environmental profile witha predetermined profile may indicate that the mobile device 100 is in astate that is consistent with a high probability that the mobile device100 can associate to a network.

The processor 108 then decides whether or not to activate the radio 104based on the comparison (step 316). The radio 104 can be activated whenthe environmental profile indicates to the processor 108 that the mobiledevice 100 can probably associate with a network (step 318).Alternatively, the radio 104 can remain deactivated when theenvironmental profile indicates to the processor 108 that the mobiledevice 100 likely cannot associate with a network (e.g., a network isprobably not available under the present conditions) (step 320).

As previously described, the predetermined profile can be generatedbased on a motion of the mobile device 100. For example, if the motionof the mobile device 100 is above a certain threshold, the processor 108can determine that the mobile device 100 is likely traveling in a movingvehicle. In this scenario, processor 108 may not activate the radio 104in order to conserve power. In one mode of operation, a user canmanually override the determination of the processor 108 and instructthe processor 108 to activate the radio 104.

Those skilled in the art will understand that the above describedexemplary embodiments may be implemented in any number of manners,including, as a separate software module, as a combination of hardwareand software, etc. For example, the staging applications of the mobiledevice and/or the staging server may be programs containing lines ofcode that, when compiled, may be executed on a processor.

In general, the processor 108 can include processing logic configured tocarry out the functions, techniques, and processing tasks associatedwith the operation of the mobile device 100. Furthermore, the steps of amethod or algorithm described in connection with the embodimentsdisclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in firmware, in asoftware module executed by the processor, or any combination thereof.Any such software may be implemented as low level instructions (assemblycode, machine code, etc.) or as higher-level interpreted or compiledsoftware code (e.g., C, C++, Objective-C, Java, Python, etc.).

In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments have beendescribed. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates thatvarious modifications and changes can be made without departing from thescope of the invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly,the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrativerather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intendedto be included within the scope of present teachings. The benefits,advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause anybenefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced arenot to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features orelements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely bythe appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency ofthis application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second,top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish oneentity or action from another entity or action without necessarilyrequiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between suchentities or actions. The terms “comprises,” “comprising,” “has”,“having,” “includes”, “including,” “contains”, “containing” or any othervariation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, suchthat a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has,includes, contains a list of elements does not include only thoseelements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherentto such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by“comprises . . . a”, “has . . . a”, “includes . . . a”, “contains . . .a” does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence ofadditional identical elements in the process, method, article, orapparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms“a” and “an” are defined as one or more unless explicitly statedotherwise herein. The terms “substantially”, “essentially”,“approximately”, “about” or any other version thereof, are defined asbeing close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and inone non-limiting embodiment the term is defined to be within 10%, inanother embodiment within 5%, in another embodiment within 1% and inanother embodiment within 0.5%. A device or structure that is“configured” in a certain way is configured in at least that way, butmay also be configured in ways that are not listed.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments may be comprised of one ormore generic or specialized processors (or “processing devices”) such asmicroprocessors, digital signal processors, customized processors andfield programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) and unique stored programinstructions (including both software and firmware) that control the oneor more processors to implement, in conjunction with certainnon-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functions of themethod and apparatus described herein. The non-processor circuits mayinclude, but are not limited to, a radio receiver, a radio transmitter,signal drivers, clock circuits, power source circuits, and user inputdevices. As such, these functions may be interpreted as steps of amethod to perform the mobile device staging described herein.Alternatively, some or all functions could be implemented by a statemachine that has no stored program instructions, or in one or moreapplication specific integrated circuits (ASICs), in which each functionor some combinations of certain of the functions are implemented ascustom logic. Of course, a combination of the two approaches could beused. Both the state machine and ASIC are considered herein as a“processing device” for purposes of the foregoing discussion and claimlanguage.

Moreover, an embodiment can be implemented as a computer-readablestorage element or medium having computer readable code stored thereonfor programming a computer (e.g., comprising a processing device) toperform a method as described and claimed herein. Examples of suchcomputer-readable storage elements include, but are not limited to, ahard disk, a CD-ROM, an optical storage device, a magnetic storagedevice, a ROM (Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read OnlyMemory), an EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM(Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory) and a Flashmemory. Further, it is expected that one of ordinary skill,notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choicesmotivated by, for example, available time, current technology, andeconomic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principlesdisclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such softwareinstructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader toquickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It issubmitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpretor limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in theforegoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features aregrouped together in various embodiments for the purpose of streamliningthe disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than allfeatures of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims arehereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claimstanding on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.

While at least one example embodiment has been presented in theforegoing detailed description, it should be appreciated that a vastnumber of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that theexample embodiment or embodiments described herein are not intended tolimit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the claimed subjectmatter in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description willprovide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map forimplementing the described embodiment or embodiments. It should beunderstood that various changes can be made in the function andarrangement of elements without departing from the scope defined by theclaims, which includes known equivalents and foreseeable equivalents atthe time of filing this patent application.

In addition, the section headings included herein are intended tofacilitate a review but are not intended to limit the scope of thepresent invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to beregarded in an illustrative manner and are not intended to limit thescope of the appended claims.

In interpreting the appended claims, it should be understood that:

-   -   a) the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other        elements or acts than those listed in a given claim;    -   b) the word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude        the presence of a plurality of such elements;    -   c) any reference signs in the claims do not limit their scope;    -   d) several “means” may be represented by the same item or        hardware or software implemented structure or function;    -   e) any of the disclosed elements may be comprised of hardware        portions (e.g., including discrete and integrated electronic        circuitry), software portions (e.g., computer programming), and        any combination thereof;    -   f) hardware portions may be comprised of one or both of analog        and digital portions;    -   g) any of the disclosed devices or portions thereof may be        combined together or separated into further portions unless        specifically stated otherwise; and    -   h) no specific sequence of acts or steps is intended to be        required unless specifically indicated.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: activating a radio in amobile device by a processor of the mobile device, the radio configuredto communicate with a wireless network; provisioning the mobile devicewith at least one pre-determined environment profile, wherein the atleast one pre-determined environment profile comprises conditions underwhich the radio is unable to connect with the wireless network; sensing,by a sensor of the mobile device, an environmental condition of themobile device to generate a sensor signal; generating, by the processorof the mobile device, an environmental profile of the mobile devicebased at least on the sensor signal; comparing, by the processor of themobile device, the environmental profile of the mobile device with theat least one pre-determined environmental profile; deactivating, by theprocessor of the mobile device, the activated radio when the comparingindicates that the environmental profile is above a threshold of thepre-determined environmental profile for a first period of time; andreactivating, by the processor of the mobile device, the deactivatedradio when the comparing indicates that the environmental profile isbelow a the threshold of the pre-determined environmental profile for asecond period of time, wherein the sensor is an altimeter and thewireless network comprises an IEEE 802.11 wireless communication system,and wherein the environmental profile further comprises a rate of changein an altitude of the mobile device, and wherein the threshold comparingindicates that the mobile device is within a building based on thealtitude, whereupon the deactivated radio is activated reactivated. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network comprises an IEEE802.11 wireless communication system, and wherein the environmentalcondition includes a speed of the mobile device, wherein the thresholdcomparing further indicates that the mobile device is within a movingvehicle, whereupon the radio is deactivated.
 3. The method of claim 2,wherein the motion speed is sensed using a motion sensor in the mobiledevice.
 4. The method of claim 1 further comprising storing theenvironmental profile in a memory of the mobile device.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the environmental condition is based on at least one ofa velocity, acceleration, vibration, rotation, and tilt of the mobiledevice.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the wireless network comprisesan IEEE 802.11 wireless communication system.
 7. The method of claim 1,further comprising periodically reactivating the radio during the firstperiod of time to attempt to communicate with the wireless network. 8.The method of claim 1, wherein the first period of time is differentthan the second period of time.
 9. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising deactivating the radio when the environmental profileindicates that the mobile device is traveling in a vehicle.
 10. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising manually overriding the sensorsignal to reactivate the radio when the radio is deactivated.
 11. Amobile device comprising: a sensor sensing an environmental condition ofthe mobile device to generate a sensor signal; a radio configured tocommunicate with a wireless network; and a memory coupled to a processorand storing at least one pre-determined environmental profile, whereinthe at least one pre-determined environmental profile comprisesconditions under which the radio is unable to connect with the wirelessnetwork; the processor configured to: activate the radio in the mobiledevice; generate an environmental profile of the mobile device based atleast on the sensor signal; compare the environmental profile of themobile device with the at least one predetermined environmental profile;de-activate the activated radio when the comparing indicates that theenvironmental profile is above a threshold of the pre-determinedenvironmental profile for a first period of time; and re-activate thedeactivated radio when the comparing indicates that the environmentalprofile is below a the threshold of the pre-determined environmentalprofile for a second period of time, wherein the sensor is an altimeterand the wireless network comprises an IEEE 802.11 wireless communicationsystem, and wherein the environmental profile further comprises a rateof change in an altitude of the mobile device, and wherein the thresholdcomparing indicates that the mobile device is within a building based onthe altitude, whereupon the deactivated radio is activated reactivated.12. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the wireless networkcomprises an IEEE 802.11 wireless communication system, and wherein theenvironmental condition includes a speed of the mobile device, whereinthe threshold comparing further indicates that the mobile device iswithin a moving vehicle, whereupon the radio is deactivated.
 13. Themobile device of claim 11, wherein the environmental condition is basedon at least one of a velocity, acceleration, vibration, rotation, andtilt of the mobile device.
 14. The mobile device of claim 11, whereinthe sensor further comprises at least one of an accelerometer and agyroscopic sensor.
 15. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein theprocessor periodically reactivates the radio during the first period oftime to attempt to communicate with a wireless network.
 16. The mobiledevice of claim 11, wherein the first period of time is different thanthe second period of time.
 17. The mobile device of claim 11, whereinthe wireless network comprises an IEEE 802.11 wireless communicationsystem.
 18. The mobile device of claim 11, wherein the radio isdeactivated when the environmental profile indicates that the mobiledevice is traveling in a vehicle.
 19. The mobile device of claim 11,further comprising a user interface for communicating an instruction tothe processor.
 20. The mobile device of claim 19, wherein theinstruction comprises manually overriding the sensor signal toreactivate the radio when the radio is deactivated.